Deuteronomy 8:18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

It is interesting that the wealthy sometimes seem to have the hardest time genuinely acknowledging God. Jesus famously said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. (Mark 10:25) As came out in yesterday’s passage, Moses dealt with this issue repeatedly. Human pride is an amazing thing, particularly for how blinding it is. When we become proud, we become unable to see ourselves and others, much less God, as they really are. John mentioned such pride as one of the essential snares of the world we live in. (1 John 2:16) We have a hunger for a sense of accomplishment, which isn’t bad in itself, but it must be accompanied by an awareness that it is God who enables us to accomplish whatever good it is we do.

I’ve never been top heavy in the money department, but I’ve certainly had my problems with pride. God has given me a wide range of abilities, and at times I’ve forgotten where those came from. I am indeed very wealthy when it comes to spiritual heritage, coming from several generations of people who were committed to God and His Word. It is highly ironic that I would allow pride in such blessings to trip me up, but I have indeed done exactly that. The answer, for me or for anyone else, is not to deny the blessings, but to acknowledge their source, and in deep gratitude make the use of those blessing that God intends. God indeed enables some people to make a great deal of wealth, but that wealth is to be used in blessing many and advancing the kingdom of God. I am not to be troubled over those who fail to do that, but rather pray God’s grace and mercy on them, that their eyes may be opened to God’s reality, leading them to repentance and faith for salvation.

Father, You know the person who is on my heart right now in relation to what You just had me write. I have shared the Gospel with him before, but he clearly and politely turned it down. I pray for another opportunity, so that the way that You have been dealing with him would be brought to fruition and he be brought into Your family, while there is still time. You have used him over the years to do many good things and he has squandered much of that, at least as far as his own life goes. I ask Your grace and mercy on him, that I may have him as a brother in Christ, for his salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!